[gentoo-dev] PHP5 release in ~x86 and request for volunteers

[Robin H. Johnson]

After much work and a goodly deal of initial testing, PHP5 is ready for
~arch. Special thanks to Stuart <stuart@g.o> (for the wonderfully
improved eclasses, now half the size and much simpler to grok) and Tal
<coredumb@g.o> (for the initial PHP5 work).

The great majority of PHP code out there should run perfectly fine on
PHP5, without any serious problems.

See http://www.php.net/manual/en/migration5.php for a complete overview
of the upstream migration documentation.

I've placed PHP5 into ~x86 only, all other -arch flags have been removed
from it. Arches interested in PHP5 have a number of dependencies ahead
of them, the majority of which are in the tree and source based. I've
also done some research, and preemptively use.mask'd a number of the
USE flags that related to binary packages on arches where the packages
are not available to the best of my research.

For those that don't want PHP5 at this time, make use of your
/etc/portage/package.mask, and mask out:
 >=dev-php/php-5*
 >=dev-php/mod_php-5*
 >=dev-php/php-cgi-5*

I've also pushed out PHP4.3.9rc1 to all currently supported PHP ~arches,
as it contains fixes for a number of annoying upstream bugs. We intend
to continue supporting the PHP4.3 series for as long as upstream still
supports it, and then probably a while afterward to allow for migration.

PHP4 and PHP5 are mutually incompatible, and for the most part cannot
peacefully co-exist even if slotted.

If you're anxious to try PHP5:
1. Unmerge all compiled PHP extensions you have installed.
2. 'emerge unmerge php mod_php php-cgi'  # out with the old
3. 'emerge php mod_php php-cgi' # in with the new

Update your /etc/conf.d/apache2 (the defined flag has changed to 'PHP5').
Restart apache2.

Future plans for PHP being in arch:
- Support for compiled PHP extensions/PECL (in process)
- 2+ months of testing in ~arch

If you find something that doesn't work right under PHP5, but did
before, please firstly review the URL above, then file a bug to
php-bugs@g.o. User emails are not eligible at this time, for
tracking reasons. If you include a patch to fix the issue as well,
it would be greatly appreciated.

The PHP herd would also like to take the chance to put out a request for
volunteers interested in working with them, to deal primarily with PECL
and PEAR, as well as fixing packages to work with PHP5 as required (if
at all). Email robbat2@g.o with your information/skillset and
some initial work for consideration. Specify 'PHP Developer' as the
subject line

-- 
Robin Hugh Johnson
E-Mail     : robbat2@g.o
GnuPG FP   : 11AC BA4F 4778 E3F6 E4ED  F38E B27B 944E 3488 4E85